A 2000 graduate, Klaus is returning as part of the college's Distinguished Visiting Alumni program to speak to share his ideas and accomplishments in the field of archeology with students, faculty, staff and the community. His speech is part of festivities leading up to Homecoming 2012.

Currently an assistant professor of anthropology at Utah Valley University, Klaus’s primary research interests include bioarchaeology, dental anthropology, mortuary analysis, forensic anthropology and taphonomy – a branch of archeology dealing with fossilization. Having conducted several research projects in South America, Klaus has studied prehistoric and historic Andean South America and the organization of complex societies, health, violence, identity and ethnogenesis.

Klaus has won a number of awards for his work, including the Utah Valley University Presidential Fellowship for Faculty Scholarship; an honorary diploma and degree at the Universidad de Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo, Peru; and the Utah Valley University Presidential Award for Student Engagement, which is that university's highest award, given for excellence in teaching.

Before earning his M.A. at Southern Illinois University and his Ph.D. at The Ohio State University, Klaus graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a B.A. in anthropology and a double minor in archeology and studio art.

Through the Distinguished Visiting Alumni Program, the Alumni Association invites Plattsburgh graduates who showcase the excellence of their alma mater to return to campus and share their knowledge with the campus and community.